Original photo Desastres 1972

Editor: So, this is Wolf Vostell’s "Original photo Desastres." It's a black and white photograph of a train car being swallowed by concrete. It feels very…oppressive. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a stark commentary on the insidious nature of power structures. The train, a symbol of progress and movement, is literally entombed by brutalist architecture. How does this resonate with historical events, particularly the rise of authoritarianism? Editor: I guess it’s about how systems can become trapping? Curator: Exactly! Vostell is questioning whether these monumental structures, ostensibly built for protection or progress, actually serve to constrain and control the populace. The title itself, "Desastres," hints at a critique of catastrophic systems, doesn't it? Editor: It does. I see that more clearly now. It’s a photograph about power, not just a train. Curator: Precisely. It encourages us to consider the narratives we tell ourselves about progress and security, and who benefits from them. Editor: Thanks. I’ll definitely think about that.